“I’m the 11th speaker of the [Oklahoma] House to sit in this office and deal with this issue,” said an emphatic Jeff Hickman Tuesday morning.

Hickman believes he has the final piece of a more than $100 million puzzle. It begins with HB 2237, Hickman’s plan to not only complete, but pay off the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

His optimism stems from the fact he’s not asking for another cent of taxpayer money. Instead, the bill redirects $2 million the state already spends each year to maintain the construction site, which currently sits quiet.

“That $2 million we’re already spending, we’ll redirect that for the final bond issue to finish construction,” Hickman said. “So there will be no additional dollars.”

The $2 million per year should be enough to cover a final $25 million bond. Hickman said those funds, combined with $40 million from private donors, should finish the job.

Once complete, the center would become the property of Oklahoma City, which stands to make millions in tourist dollars. The catch comes if state leaders can’t finish the center -- doing so would forfeit the property to Oklahoma City to do with the land as it wishes.

“It really is a blank canvas in the heart of Oklahoma City,” Hickman said. “Now Oklahoma City leaders and citizens of Oklahoma City will decide what’s painted on that canvas, what’s developed there, what’s built there.“

Oklahoma City officials said at no point did the state contact them during the creation of HB 2237. Currently, city officials say they’re inspecting the proposal very closely.

"We appreciate Speaker Hickman and his staff's hard work in trying to solve funding problems with the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum," City Manager Jim Couch said. "The city learned about the proposal late last week, so it's important that we take ample time to review their plan and consider the risks and opportunities."